Storm Austen disruption in western Europe

◆6 sources

Storm Austen brought severe winds and rain to western Europe, causing power cuts, transport disruption and damage. In France, more than 161,000 households in coastal regions including Brittany, Pays de la Loire and Normandy lost electricity after winds of up to 160 km/h; train services in parts of Normandy were suspended and some Channel ferry crossings were cancelled. In southwest England, more than 13,500 addresses in Cornwall lost power, while weather warnings were issued for Cornwall and Devon and authorities reported fallen or damaged trees around the Channel Islands.

The storm moved north toward Belgium and the Netherlands, where it brought heavy showers and strong wind gusts. Belgium issued an orange warning for its west and a yellow warning elsewhere. The Netherlands issued a yellow warning for Zeeland, Noord-Brabant, Limburg, Zuid-Holland, Gelderland and Overijssel; later reports said the storm caused damage, including fallen trees, in several places.

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Disasters

Storm Austen damage in the Netherlands

6 sources

Storm Austen brought strong winds to the Netherlands overnight, causing fallen trees and branches, particularly in Limburg and North Brabant. A tree damaged parked cars in Maastricht, while another fell onto a moving car in Amsterdam; its driver was unhurt. In Volkel, a falling tree made a large hole in a farmhouse roof and also destroyed a conservatory, according to a single report. Fire crews cleared trees and branches from roads, and no injuries were known after the overnight damage.

Disasters

Storm Austen forecast for the Netherlands

13 sources

The Netherlands was expected to face unsettled autumn weather from Friday, with rain and strengthening winds. Storm Austen was forecast to move across the country from late afternoon or evening, with the strongest gusts expected along the southwest coast and in southern provinces; some forecasts put gusts at up to 100 or 105 km/h. Heavy rain and strong winds were also expected overnight and at times through Sunday, particularly near the Wadden region and in the north. It remained uncertain whether Austen would meet the criteria for an official storm, as this depended on its exact track. Forecasts indicated that winds could briefly reach force 9 on the coast. Saturday was expected to bring a temporary easing with some sunshine before further rain and wind, while Sunday was forecast to remain windy with showers, especially in the north.

Disasters

Stormy weather in North Holland

2 sources

Storm Austen brought rain and strong winds to North Holland, though no actual storm was reported there. Some trees were blown down, including in Amsterdam. Rainfall was lower than elsewhere in the country, with 10 mm recorded in Medemblik and 14 mm at Schiphol, compared with up to 55 mm elsewhere, according to a single report. Strong to stormy southerly winds are expected to increase again, with a chance of a southerly storm on Texel and gusts up to 90 km/h. Code yellow is in force from 22:00 until 14:00 on Monday because of strong gusts. A further 20 to 30 mm of rain is forecast overnight and into Monday, when hail and thunder are also possible. Conditions are expected to remain wet and unsettled until the middle of next week.

Disasters

Closure of the Breda fair during Storm Austen

2 sources

Fair operators closed the fair at Chasséveld in Breda immediately on Friday afternoon for the rest of the day because strong winds from Storm Austen made it unsafe to remain open. The decision was made shortly before 5 p.m. It is not yet clear whether the fair will reopen on Saturday and Sunday, its final day. A yellow weather warning is in force for Brabant.